Button



L. HERNON Feb. 7, 1961 BUTTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1958INVENT OR. [0/2 [Yer/2072, BY

Feb. 7, 1961 HERN'ON BUTTON Filed Feb. 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR. loiz file/"72072,

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2,970,355 BUTTON Lon Hernon, 7736 N. Eastlake Terrace, Chicago 26, Ill.Filed Feb. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 715,947

11 Claims. (Cl. 24-103) This invention relates generally to garmentfastening ,devices and particularly to buttons of the type which avoidthe use of conventional connective means.

A satisfactory threadless button fastener or, that 15, one which may beapplied and removed quickly and conveniently without the need of sewingthe same in place or resorting to other types of permanent fastening,has been desired forsome time. Such fasteners have particular utility ingarments for mental patients or children, for example, who are prone tolose or tear buttons loose from their garments. Other fields of use arealso apparent, as for instance, in uniforms or similar garments wherethe button fasteners must be removed periodically for cleaning andrepair purposes. Obviously, if the conventional thread and needleconnective system is used in such garments, the labor of removing andreplacing the fasteners is burdensome and economically unsound. Whilethe need is particularly felt in such garment classes, all types ofclothing for men,-

women, and children, including outercoats, shirts, pants, suit coats,and like garments in which button fasteners are employed, mayconveniently use a fastener which readily may be attached and detachedin a quick, convenient and positive manner. t

It is to the above-indicated problems and field of endeavor that thepresent invention is directed. Briefly, the improved fastener of thisinvention comprises a button body having a recess formed inwardly of itsrearward face in which a fastening ring is mounted; the latter includingfabric engaging needle prong members. The button is applied byconfronting the needle prongs with a portion of the garment fabric andthereafter providing relative movement between the fastening ring andbutton body to pierce the fabric with the prongs which are thereafterlocked in a fastening position. Suitable detent means are included forlocking the fastening ring in operative and non-operative positions, sothat the same is not accidentally movable. Thus, once the locking ringhas been moved to a fastening condition and tightly engaged withaportion of the garment fabric, the same will remain fixed to the garmentwith littleor no relative movement therebetween until the fastening ringis positively reversed to withdraw the needle prongs. In order topromote a pleasing appearance for the button, the operating mechanism ofthe button is concealed within the button shank, and the outer face ofthe button body is decorated, as desired. In one form of the invention,movement'of the fastening ring is accomplished by engaging the fasteningring with an instrument inserted through the button shank to provideneeded relative movement between the same and the button body.Additionally, instruments may be employed to assist inserting the fabricinto an interfering position with the needle prongs, although such isnot essential to the success of the invention. Modifications of theabove briefly described basic button structure are contemplated,

including novel means for :connecting and associating the fastening ringwith the button body and means for a multiple part body to facilitateassembly of the fastening means as well as theprovision of decorativequalities and pictorial representations.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved button fastener which includes 2,970,353 We F ree quick-actingmeans for its association and disassociation with fabric.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved buttonfastener, as aforesaid, which carries its own mechanism for connection.with fabric.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved button fastener which may be applied without the use ofconventional connective means, such as thread or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved buttonfastener, as aforesaid, which includes novel aspects of structure andassembly leading to versatility of appearance and use. 7

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved button'fastener including a mechanical fastening means whichoperates in a convenient, quick and simple manner and is readilyengageable for applying and removing the same from a garment or thelike. j

The above and further objects, features, and advantages of thisinvention will appear to those familiar with the art from the followingdetailed description of its features, as found in the preferred andmodified embodiments set out in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a button assembly according to thefeatures of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective showing of a fastening ring employed with thebutton of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the button as sembly takensubstantially at line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4, showing the fabric engaged by the fastening ring of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective showing of a tool for rotating the locking.ring of Figure. 2 relative to the body of the button in order to jointhe button to fabric, as shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged plan view. illustrating the operational use of.the tool seen in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective showing of an insert collar member for use ina modified button construction;

Figure 10 is a modified button assembly utilizing the insert collar ofFigure 9 and. the locking ring of Figure 2; 1 I

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation with partsbroken away in section,showing'a second modified button structure;

Figure 12 is a front elevationalview of the. modified buttons of eitherFigure 10 or 11, demonstrating the use of a pictorial decoration meanstherewith;

Figure l3'1s a top plan view of a third modified but-.

in Figure 14;

'1 Figure l6 is a perspective view of another modified button assemblyembodying the concepts and features of this invention, parts thereinbeing broken away in section; i i i v 3 ,Figure 17 is anenlargedsectional view takeni substan tiallypat vantageline 17-1-11 ofFigure--16 and'showing internal arrangement of the button assembly witht the fastening ring removed;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a modified fastenwing ring for use inthe button asembly of Figures -16 and 17; and c Figure 19 is an enlargedpartial cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 17,.i1lustrating theoperational relationship between the several elements of the buttonassembly including the fastening ring.

Turning now to the features of my invention, as illustrated in thedrawings and particularly the first form of button assembly 20,illustrated in Figures l-8, it will be recognized that such includes abody portion 21 of substantiallycylindrical configuration and comprisinga head or face end of the button. A shank portion 22 projects integrallyfrom head 21 and terminates in-a coaxially disposed cylindrical neckportion 23 of a slightly reduced diameter. v.The entire body of thebutton is preferably pressure molded or otherwise formed in aconventional manner of a suitable material, such as nylon orthermoplastic materials capable of depicting desired color, shape, andappearance, as is familiar to those versed in the button making art.

The rearwardly extending shank and neck portions 22 and 23 are providedwith an annular recess 25 which is undercut at its axially innermost endto flare radially outward, as indicated by numeral 26 in Figure 3. Theneck portion 23 is divided at its outer end by a diametrical slottedopening defined by parallel side walls 27, 27 and a transverse bottomwall 28. This slotted opening provides an entry recess for the insertionof fabric or other materials to which the button is to be joined, aswill be described in greater, detail later herein. Additionally, theslotted opening is cut away at an enlarged arc on one side of the shankportion to provide a recessed surface 29 bordering the annular recess 25for purposes of opera-ting the locking means of the button, as will berelated hereinafter.

The walls of annular opening 25, as best seen in Figure of the drawings,are provided with a pair of arcuately spaced parallel indentations orslots 30 and 31 which extend radially outward from the opening 25 toprovide detent recesses for locking a rotatable fastening ring 35 inoperative and inoperative positions, respectively.

In addition to the body 21, the button assembly of this inventionincludes the fastening ring 35 (shown in the perspective view Figure 2)which constitutes a split resilient ring member of spring metal orsimilar material having opposed ends 36 and 37 which are separated by .agap 38 to permit resilient compression of the ring. Thus, the same maybe disposed in the annular opening 25 ofthe button body 21- by slightlycompressing the same. The side wall portion 39 of the locking ring 35 isflared outwardly at its lower edge to form a skirt portion ,40 which isreceived and held in the undercut 26 formed at the inner end of theannular slot 25. Thus, when the compressed locking ring 35 is disposedwithin the confines of the annular track or opening 25, the outwardlyflaring skirt portion 40 enters the undercut 26 and locks the ring 35against axial displacement.

The substantially cylindrical side wall 39 of the locking ring 35includes a pair of diametrically opposed upwardly extending arm portions41, 41 integral with similarly directed tapered needle prong members 42,42, one formed at the upper end of each arm portion land extendingtransversely therefrom. From examination of Figure 2, it will be seenthat the needle prongs are curve in conformity with the substantiallycylindrical formation of the ring 35 and are sufficiently pointed attheir outer ends 43, 43 to provide, in conjunction with the tapered bodythereof, a penetrating needle capable of "readily entering fabric orlike material with which the button is to be connected.

Theside -wall 39of thetoeking ring is further-proside'dwitnanoperatingnotch-"or recess .5 1-5 cut at. one

side for cooperation with a pointed finger 46 associated with a mountingtool, indicated generally by numeral 47 and shown particularly in Figure7 of thedrawings. The relationship between the finger 46 and opening 45will best be understood by examining Figure 8.

A detent projection 50 is also provided on the exterior face of wall 39of the locking ring substantially opposite the opening 45; the samebeing adapted to enter and lock with the two recess openings 30, 31.

When the locking ring 35 is assembled in the annular opening 25 of thebutton body, the axially outermost end 51 of the side wall 39substantially coincides with the wall 28 of the transverse slot formedat the outer end of the button shank portion. A bottom wall '52 of thenotch 45, however, lies flush with the arcuate wall portion 29 which isoffset axially with respect to such bottom wall 28. Thus, the finger 46of the operating tool 47 may enter the recess 45 substantially at thelevel of the olfset wall 2?.

With respect to the operating tool 47, reference is now made to Figure 7of the drawings from which it will be seen that the same comprises anoperating handle portion 60 which has a pair of bifurcated arm portions61, 61'at its outer end. Such arm portions are defined at their lateraledges by upwardly turned lips 62, 62 flanking opposite sides of acentrally raised or olfset platform portion 63 having the operatingfinger 46 at its outermost end. As shown in Figure 8, for example, thehead 21 of the button is adapted to be received on the arm portions 61,61 between their lips 62, 62, so that the outer face 65 on the buttonengages the arm portions 61, 61. This position places the prong 46inwardly of the periphery of the locking ring 35 in the operating notchor recess 45. Thereafterby turning the operating handle 66 and holdingthe button stationary or vice versa, the locking ring 35 may be rotatedrelative to the body portion to move the locking detent projection 50thereon, as desired, either to an operating condition, wherein the sameresides within the recess 30, or a non-operating condition wherein thesame resides in the recess 31. As seen in Figures 4 and 6, fabric 65, Orthe like, to which the button assembly'20 of my invention is to beattached, is suitably creased or folded to provide a projecting portioncapable of insertion into the transverse opening formed at the outermostend of the button shank portion and defined by the waIls 27, 27 and 28.To facilitate. the entry and to hold the fabric fold tightly in thisrecess while locking the button in place, a needle 66 or like pointedinstrumentality may be employed beneath "the fabric fold,- as desired(see Figures 4' and 6). With the operating ring 35 locked in itsnon-operating condition, the fabric may readily be inserted into theopen recess and positioned for engagement by the needle prongs 42. Thiscondition is bestillustra-ted in Figure 4. If thereafter the tool 47 isemployed, as above explained, torotate the button body relative to thelocking ring or vice versa, the needle-prongs 42, 42 on opposite side ofthe locking ring will'move across the ends of the recess defined bywalls 27, 27 and 28 to pierce and pass through any interferingly placedfold of fabric. This action anchors the button securely in position, asshown in Figure 6, particularly when the needle points 43, 43 passbehind the arcuate wall portions 67 between walls 27 and theopening 25.'It'will be noted, in this respect, that the needle or other sharpinstrumentality 66, which is employed to assist the fabric fold into aninterfering position with the needle prongs 42, passes beneath the-latter'as such is moved-to a locked or fastening condition whereatthevdetent recess 30 and the etentprojection'50 are engaged. Aftertheoperating ring is locked behind wall portions 67, 67, the needle 66, orother device employed in the mannerexplained above, is removed.

To detach or rem ovea'button'of this invention, -a 'rnerereversal of thelocking -procedure" isinvolved as may be accomplishedreadily by usingthe operating tool I the body 83'.

47 or a like instrumentality capable of engaging 'the operating notch 45to rotate the ring in a reverse direction, thereby freeing the folds ofthe fabric 65 from the needle prongs 42, 42.

Havingthus set forth the features and characteristics of the basic formof button embodying this invention, reference is now made to Figures9-12 of the drawings wherein a first modified button structure is shown.

As seen in Figure 9, an open-ended insert member 70 of plastic or otherresilient material has a first substantially rectangular opening 71formed through its one side opposite a second larger rectangular opening72. The opposed end portions of the member are separated by a gap 73 topermit the same to be compressed radially .for insertion into a body, aswill'be related hereinafter. The lower end of the ring 70 is chamferedor undercut at an angle along its inner edge, as indicated by numeral74. This chamfer cooperates with the outwardly flared skirt portion 40of the locking ring 35, as shown in Figure 2. The exterior side walls ofthe ring 70 are generally cylindricalexcept for an inwardly set annularrecess 75 intermediate the ends thereof. Recess 75 cooperates with aprojecting annular rib'76 formed in the interior side walls of asubstantially cylindrical or annular opening 78 in the shank portion 79of a modified button 80, seen in Figure 10.

In practice, the fabric engaging fastening ring 35 is inserted insidethe insert 70, preferably from the bottom end thereof, so that thechamfered portion 74 mates with the outwardly flared skirt portion 40 onthe.retaining' ring. This structure avoids the undercut 26, used inbutton 20. The annular sub-assembly, so provided, is then inserted as aunit into the centrally disposed cylindrical bore 78 of the button shankportion, until the projecting rib 76 engages and locks with the detentrecess 75 in the insert member 70.

In addition to the modified structure utilizing the annular insert ring70, the button of Figure 9 may also include a central recess 81 formedinwardly of a front face 82 on the button body portion 33 (see FigureThe side walls of such recess 81 are preferably undercut slightly toaccommodate a transparent cover member 85 having an outwardly flarededge which, when deformed slightly and pressed into the opening 81,locks in the undercut with snap-in engagement. Cover 85 may beremoved,as desired, by including an optional opening 850 at its one edge wherebya prying tool may be inserted therebeneath. It is intended that cover 85protect and encase a suitable decorative configuration, such as a pic-.

torial representation 87 illustrated in Figure 12. Other forms ofdecoration also may be used .beneath tlte cover member 85, such as wordsand phrases, pictures, colors, mottos, flags, and others directed toeducational,.political, or religious purposes, for example. V 1Additionally, the cover member 85 may include at least one face having.a plurality of parallel ribs and grooves formed therein, so that, asthepangles of cidence and reflection are changed with movement of thebutton relative to the lineof sight, one or more pictorial imagesdisposed beneath such a cover member .may be observed, either togetheror one at a time. Although this style of image reproduction is Wel knownin the art, such is felt to be particularly adaptable to the structureof the present button. A T ,v r f In Figure 11, a further modifiedbutton 80" is shown having, an alternate annular body portionv 83' overthe periphery of which an annular rim member 90 is .6 central recess oropen center 'behind picture 87'.- An annular detent lip 95 on the insertshank mates'with an opposing groove in the body 83' to lock the shank inplace. The remainder of the shank portion is substantially as in button20 of Figure 1, with fabric engaging ring 35 locked in an annular recessformed inwardly of the outer end of the shank portion. The assemblyprocedure for button is modified somewhat from button 80 of Figure 10,however, since the cover plate is preferably p'aced within rim andsubassembled with body portion 83' for connection therewith as a unit tothe insert shank portion 94.

Turning now to the drawing Figures 13, 14, and 15, I have therein showna still further modified button constructed and operated substantiallyin accordance with the. principles and features of the button 20,hereinabove described. except for certain detail features as will now beamplified.

At the outset, modified button 100 is intended for use primarily onshirts, or similar garments, in which it is desired that the transverseslotted opening formed in the button shank portion for entry, as inbutton 20 of Fig ures 4 and 6, be eliminated for the sake of appearanceand to prevent puckering of the cloth where the button is joined. Withthis in mind, modified button 100 is formed with a substantiallycylindrical body or head portion 101 which may have a plain or moldedface to simulate a conventional shirt button appearance depictingartificial thread passing through opening in the button face, forexample. A centrally disposed and rearwardly projecting cylindricalshank portion 102 extends from the body portion 101 and an annular bore103 is provided concentrically therein, the latter being undercut at itsinner end, as indicated at 104, to axially anchor a fastening ring35, asshown in Figure 2. The ring 35 is compressed radially and thrust intothe annular opening 103 until it resiliently locks in place by means ofits chamfered skirt portion 40 entering the undercut 104.

A wedge-shaped arcuate opening 105 is formed through the side walls ofthe button shank portion 102 for insertion of a prong-like tool,indicated at 106, whereby opening 45 of the fastening ring 35 may beengaged to rotate the ring relative to the button body. This actionbrings the needle prongs 42, 42 thereof into locking engagement withthe'fabricin the manner previously explained.

To enable the material or fabric to be inserted into opening 103 forengagement by the points of the needle prongs 42, two substantiallyoval-shaped slots 108, 108 are provided diametrically opposite in theouter wall of annular opening 103. Also the control core of the shankportion is cut away centrally to provide spaced arcuate shaped walls 109flanking a line passing through the openings 108. This arrangementaccommodates the reception of arm portions 108a and 10% of a fabricinserting tool used to assist the installer in forcing fabric within thebutton shank for engagement by the needle prongs 42, 42. Tool 110includes a body or handle portion 111 at one end of which extend thespaced'fingers 108a and 109a.

Fabrioplaced across the outer or open end of the button shank portion102 may be pressed or inserted readily into the openings 108 and 109 tocross the annular opening 103 in front of the needle prongs 42 by meansof the insert tool 110. Thereafter, the locking ring 35 may bemoved'relative to the button body portion 101 mounted with snap-onengagement. Such rim is under-.

cut slightly at one end to provide a first annular lip 91 which mateswith a corresponding chamfered faceof Rim 90 is also provided with asecond chamfered lip portion 92 at its opposite end which is in- Thebody 83' in turn may have snap-in to engage the fabric and securely lockthe modified button 100 in place; the detent means 50 entering one ofthe openings 108 to hold ring 35 locked in operating position, as in itscooperation withv opening 30, previously 1 -it will be recognized from.Figure 16, in particular, that the same includes a substantiallycylindrical-shaped plastic body or button head member 121 and a hollowplastic shank member 122 adapted to be inserted into said body Themodified button 120 has certain advantageous features from anoperational standpoint over the previously described forms of theinvention, since the same may be mounted by merely pressing the fabricinto the open end of the shank and thereafter twisting the button bodyrelative to the engaged shank. Thus, the expedient of employing anoperating tool, such as device 60 of Figure 7, may be avoided, ifdesired.

It will be recognized from the foregoing description that I havehereinabove set forth the features and structural aspects of a new basicform of threadless fastener or button and several modifications. It isbelieved that those familiar with the art will readily understand andappreciate the merit which marks my present invention as an advancementover prior efforts in this field. Additionally, while I have hereinspecified and prefer that the body of the button be made of plastic ormaterials which may be readily molded and configured in any desiredshape or form to accommodate desired values of appearance, as tasterequires, it is to be understood that other materials may be employed tothis end. Further, while the button is illustrated as round, it may takeon any desired shape, and materials other than spring metal may be usedfor locking ring 35 without necessarily departing from spirit and scopeof my invention. Consequently, it is not my intention to be limited tothe particulars and details of the fastener means, as hereinabovedescribed and set forth in the accompanying drawings, except as mayappear in the following appended claims.

I claim:

1. A button fastening device to be joined to fabric which comprises, abody having a hollow shank projecting from one side thereof, the hollowinterior of said shank being accessible through one open end thereof, afastening member mounted in the hollow interior of said shank forrotation relative to the latter, means locking said fastening memberagainst axial displacement, prong means formed on said fastening memberand disposed wholly within the axial confines of said shank for engagingfabric inserted into said open end thereof, and means for positivelyeffecting relative rotation between said fastening member and said shankto drive said prong means into said fabric within said shank.

2. The button fastener as set forth in claim 1 including a removablemember on the face of said body portion adapted to overlieand protectdecorative means, said face member being transparent for the visualdissemination of said decorative means.

3. A button fastener as set forth in claim 1 including detent means foroperatively limiting and holding said fastening member at pluralpreselected positions of rotation relative to said shank.

4. In a button fastener, the combination comprising, a button body, ahollow shank portion on one side of said body having an open end intowhich fabric may be inserted, a fastening ring rotatably mounted whollywithin said shank portion, prong means formed at one end of said ringfor engaging fabric within the interior of said shank portion, meanslocking said fastening ring against axial displacement, and means forselectively rotating said ring and said shank portion relative to eachother thereby to drive said prong means into fabric brought intoengagement therewith.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 including detent means forlocking said ring in two preselected positions of rotation relative saidshank portion.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said means forcausing relative rotation between said ring and shank portion comprisesmeans interconnecting said ring and body, and plural serrations at theouter end of said shank portion for engaging the fabric to hold saidshank portion stationary while said ring and body are rotated relativethereto.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including means at the outerend of said shank portion engageable 10 with the fabric for the purposeof holding said shank portion stationary while said body is rotatedrelative thereto, and means-connecting said fastening member to saidbody for rotation conjointly therewith.

8. A button fastener for detachable association with fabric, comprising,a button body having a decorative head portion, a substantiallycylindrical shank portion protruding from one side of said head portion,said shank portion having a hollow interior accessible through an openend of said shank portion and an additional opening formed through oneside wall thereof, annular fastening means mounted in the interior ofsaid shank portion, means locking said fastening means against axialdisplacement, means on said fastening means engageable through saidadditional opening in said shank portion for effecting positive rotationof said fastening means relative to said shank portion as selected, andplural prong elements formed on said fastening means and disposed whollywithin the axial limits of said shank portion to engage and penetratefabric thrust into said hollow interior thereof as said fastening meansis rotated.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said means forlocking said fastening means in said opening comprises a resilientannular split ring member adapted to be inserted in the said annularopening and having suitable surface means interferingly aligned withsaid fastening means for holding such in place.

10. A button device, for use as a garment fastener comprising, a bodyportion, a hollow shank portion extending outwardly of said bodyportion, means interconnecting said body and shank portions in a mannerpermitting the same to rotate relative to each other, fabric engagingprong means fastened to said body portion and extending into the hollowinterior of said shank portion, said prong means being adapted uponrelative rotation between said body and shank portions to engage fabricthrust into the interior of said shank portion and thereby fasten thebutton device to said fabric, and means locking said prong means againstaxial displacement.

11. In a button fastener, the combination comprising: a button bodyhaving a central recess therein, said recess including side and bottomwalls with a projecting bead formed on said side wall and said bottomwall having a pair of blind hole openings therein; a hollow shankportion fitted in said'recess, having a side wall including a centraldepression positioned for locking engagement with said projecting beadto prevent axial displacement between said body and said shank, having abase portion with a frusto-conical bore therein, and further having apair of slotted apertures in the central bore thereof; and a fasteningring mounted wholly within, said shank portion, including a pair ofprongs, a base having a flared wall fitted against said frusto-conicalbore to prevent axial displacement between said shank and said fasteningring, said fastening ring base further having a pair of dependingfingers extending into said blind hole openings to prevent rotationalmovement between said body and said fastening ring, and a detentpositioned on said fastening ring to engage one of said slottedapertures in said shank,

whereby relative rotation between said shank and said fastening ringdisplaces said fastening ring from its inoperative position wherein itis locked by engagement of said detent with one of said slottedapertures to an op erative position wherein it is locked by engagementof said detent with the other of said slotted apertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS375,358 Jenks Dec. 27, 1887 2,001,401 Sidney May 14, 1935 2,279,259Ballou Apr. 7, 1942 2,736,938 Sparer Mar. 6, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS486,987 Great Britain June 14, 1938

